Netflix has acquired the global rights to the new film in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise from Legendary Pictures, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The next installment was directed by David Blue Garcia (Tejano) and written by Chris Thomas Devlin (Cobweb) from a story by Fede Alvarez and Rodo Sayagues.
The new film, a continuation of Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel’s 1974 seminal horror classic, marks the return of Leatherface, reintroducing one of the most iconic villains of the horror genre to a whole new generation. Filming took place last year in Bulgaria.
The new movie “takes place years after the shocking events of the original, in a setting where Leatherface hasn’t been seen or heard from since,” according to Netflix and Legendary. “The film seeks to pick up where the Hooper and Kim Henkel film initially left off, bringing the most notorious franchise back to life in the same bold and provocative manner that it was first introduced.”
Alvarez previously shared that the movie “is a direct sequel, and it is the same character. It is old man Leatherface.” He went on to tease that the sequel will use practical effects, taking on an “old school approach to filmmaking” including vintage lenses and “old school gags.”
A poster released in October 2020 read: “In 1974, the world witnessed one of the most bizarre crimes in the annals of American history. In 2021, the face of madness returns.”
The movie stars Golden Globe nominee Elsie Fisher (EighthGrade), Sarah Yarkin (Happy Death Day 2U), Mark Burnham (Wrong Cops), Moe Dunford (The Dig), Olwen Fouéré (Mandy), Alice Krige (Star Trek), Jacob Latimore (The Maze Runner), Nell Hudson (Victoria), Jessica Allain (The Laundromat), Sam Douglas (Snatch), William Hope (Dark Shadows), and Jolyon Coy (War & Peace).
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie is produced by Fede Alvarez, who is known for directing Don’t Breathe and 2013’s Evil Dead, along with Rodolfo Sayagues through the Bad Hombre banner. Kim Henkel, who co-wrote the 1974 film, is also producing alongside Ian Henkel and Pat Cassidy who are producing through their Exurbia Films, and Legendary.
Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms is set to arrive on digital and physical storefronts on August 31. The film is the direct sequel to 2020’s Scorpion’s Revenge. In it, Raiden and his band of Earthrealm fighters enter the titular tournament to save the realms from Shao Kahn, who showed up in the movie’s first trailer. Joel McHale (The Soup) stars in the film as Johnny Cage.
ComingSoon Editor-in-Chief Tyler Treese spoke with Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms star Joel McHale about voicing Johnny Cage, if WWE star The Miz could do the role justice, and plenty more.
Tyler Treese: I was really curious about your relationship with the game series and what was the first Mortal Kombat game you played?
Joel McHale: Oh, what’s the first one I ever played. It was the stand-up [arcade cabinet] I played. It was 1992 or 1993 when it came out. I was in college and I had no job or I had kind of a job, but I had no money and I put way too many quarters into that thing. I was in the University of Washington and it was on University Avenue right there right by the school, and on breaks I’d go play Mortal Kombat. Believe me, if you said, “Oh, there’s going to be a universe where you’re playing Johnny Cage.” If you told me that back then? I would’ve went, “Oh shit. I did something right. I can’t believe it. Holy shit. Look at you.” So, I wore my handout on that thing.
What, what character did you use? Were using Johnny Cage way back then?
Ironically, I used Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Just because I think the learning curve for their move was easier than Johnny Cage’s. I think people might argue with that, but for me, Scorpion and Sub-Zero were the ones that I could use. A lot of like 13-year-old kids are walking in there and just kick everyone’s ass. So I had to go with the thing that I had gotten used to and knew. So anyway, those are my characters. I did play Johnny Cage. I played all the characters, but I literally was borrowing money from my parents at that point. I remember my dad going, “How much money do you have?” I’m like, “13 bucks,” and I remember him giving me $300 for the rest of the quarter. I was like, “Now I can play for hours.” Real smart.
Johnny Cage is such a perfect character for you. He’s always got so many great wisecracks. What’s your favorite part of just playing him?
You said it. I just to be kind of the comic relief and that makes me super happy because I love telling jokes and the very nice director and engineers, they got to listen to me improvise endlessly. They were like, yeah, if you can beat the joke, get in on it. So I was always like, let me try this, let me try this, let me try this. So, of course, the recording sessions went into double golden time because I was wasting so much of their time. But knowing that Johnny Cage got to tell a lot of jokes. I, you know, saw that as a green light to try everything. So that made me very happy.
His cockiness is so much fun, and I just love that he’s throwing these grade school insults to sorcerers and murder machines. There’s a line where you call Shao Kahn a shithead, and it just made me laugh so much. It’s just so silly.
I think that was an improvise. I think I was improvising then. I think it was some other insults that they had on him and I’m like, why don’t we just call him a shithead? They’re like, “Great!” So they were great as they weren’t like, “How dare you? These words are precious.” I mean, obviously for Johnny Cage, it’s not as precious, but he’s again the comic relief. So he doesn’t have the burden of the story on his shoulders.
My thing is character-driven jokes are the best kinds of jokes. So if it’s not just me being a dickhead and it’s actually motivated by Johnny’s arrogance and his confidence, then I think it’s a great time. That’s why, and now I’m going to bring up the other thing I used to do, but that’s why I love Community so much because the jokes weren’t just jokes to exist. They were jokes that were driven by the characters.
Speaking of arrogance, The Miz of WWE fame has been very vocal about wanting to play Johnny Cage in the future. How do you think he would do in that role?
Tremendous. I think he’s perfect. I’m not kidding. I think he looks great. He looks the part and I’ve interacted with him a few times and he’s really nice. I think he’s really good. I’ve seen him in a couple of different things and I was like, “Oh, that guy can do it.” Not that I’m casting the thing, but yeah, I think he’d be perfect. He’s definitely out of physical shape and would have to get in shape, but, you know, little things.
You’ve done a lot of voiceover work at this point. What’s the most rewarding thing about that process? Is it the freedom to kind of improvise on some of these projects?
Yeah. No, it’s the freedom to show up in a pair of shorts and a tank top, and go ahead and drive almost 10 minutes away from my house to work all day and then drive back. Believe me, I don’t mind being on location and getting all the way out somewhere and shooting. That’s what you gotta do when you’re on camera. But I think voiceover work can be just as rewarding and it’s obviously a lot more collaborative and I love that. I think that’s what is about these things where somebody writes it, somebody directs it, somebody animates it, somebody puts a voice to it, somebody puts the sound together. I think that’s one of the coolest things about Hollywood. When everyone talks about everyone being selfish, which they’re not, some people are, of course, but I think that’s one of the most tremendous things about Hollywood is that it has to be collaborative. If you’re not, you’ll eventually be thrown out of business.
In this film, I really liked the scene with you and Sonya Blade, who is played by Jennifer Carpenter. I’d love to get your thoughts on that relationship between Sonya and Cage.
Well, he’s in love with her obviously. What’s so cool about the script is that he’s not just purely a shit-talking a-hole. He truly is in love, and the scriptwriting was so good because they allowed for like, hey, he’s not just these snappy comebacks. When he’s serious, he’s like, I love you, and then let’s be together forever. So I loved that part of that. He shows real passion for her, and I think it just shows a nice part of his character that you didn’t get to see. I love that part of the story. So it gives it dimension, which is great because other than that, it would just be a lot of jokes and you might not get as much character.
You’ve done quite a few video game-related things over the years. You had a memorable gig hosting the live VGX awards, which became kind of legendary and kind of off the rails in a way. It was just so funny, Odd Future was there. How fun was that show and just kind of breaking Geoff Keighley’s balls a bit?
Yeah, Geoff, he and I were just texting. That was obviously my one and only time that I hosted. A shocker. But that is me and how I talk, and some people hated it and some people loved it. Because those video games things are pretty transparently advertisements, as is every single award show. Like if you don’t do what Conan O’Brien does or Jimmy Kimmel, which is take the piss out of things, then as comedians, we’re probably not doing our jobs. So I just kind of did my thing and I’m going to say I pissed off 50% of the people, but, you know, hey, what are you going to do?
But it’s funny because I am such a huge video game fan and a nerd for video games though. But I can’t change. I’m not going to change my version of how all of my humor for that, but it was really fun. I still talk to a couple of the different game makers. I’m sure I pissed off a lot of them. But I didn’t go in there going, like, I’m going to piss them off. But if you look at someone like Ricky Gervais, who’s one of my heroes, like those Golden Globes monologues were some of my favorite.
Yeah. So good. Personally, I was a huge fan of that. Speaking of video games, you did a voice in Lego Dimensions a few years back. Would you like to be involved in more gaming projects going forward?
Yeah, I am truly a fan of video games and I played them with my kids now. We play a lot of Fortnite, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, Hades. My son is very good at Madden and I am terrible at it. But I am just a fan in general. So if you want me to do a voiceover in your video games, and I get to actually play the game, that’s why Lego Dimensions was so fun. I’m like, holy crap, I’m going to be in Lego Dimensions. My kids love Lego Dimensions! So it really works out really well for that project. It was great.
One of the other voice projects you did never actually aired. Star Wars Detours, one episode of that actually leaked last year, but a lot of it is still mysterious. What was it like working on that show? It’s kind of surprising it was canned as so much great talent worked on it behind the scenes and as a voice cast.
To this day, to the life of me, I cannot tell you why it hasn’t aired. I don’t know why. I really don’t. Seth Green headed up that whole thing. He’s one of my favorite people on the planet. He’s one of the most talented people, and I thought it was well written too. It could be a whole other dimension to Star Wars and to this day, it should air. It should get out there. I don’t know why it hasn’t. I really can’t tell you. I never watched, I didn’t see the leaked one, but I would love to see that whole thing. I would love it to.
And being a part of Star Wars, that has to be so frustrating that you were a part of it, but you don’t have much to show for it.
Yeah, fuckin’ A! I made it into the Star Wars universe and it never aired. What the hell?
Community has seen such a resurgence being on Netflix. Especially during the pandemic, it was great that you did that live read. There’s so many more fans and we got the six seasons. Do you think a movie will eventually happen?
Well, I know Dan has said a few things like, “Hey, it’s going along more than it was before,” which is great. I know that everyone on that script read agreed to it. But boy, there is a big difference between everyone going, “Yeah, that sounds great,” to us shooting. So I mean, it’s like going like, “Hey, I’m going to get married in three years.” Okay. Are you planning it? “Yeah, it’s going to come together.” It’s one of those things where a lot of stuff has to happen and so I’m hoping it does. I have no news. I wish I did. Believe me, I’d be there in a New York minute. So we’ll see. We’ll see. Yeah. I wish I could say like, “Yeah, it’s fucking happening, man. Here we go!” But I don’t. I can’t.
Lost Judgment is only a few weeks away from its September 21 launch and Sega has revealed who will provide the English voices. The cast ranges from returning voices to a few new ones as well.
Some of these actors had already been more or less confirmed, but Sega has finally given the official word. Greg Chun will return as the protagonist Takayuki Yagami and Crispin Freeman will once again be his sidekick, Masaharu Kaito. Artt Butler is voicing the new character in legal hot water, Akihiro Ehara, and Stephanie Sheh will be playing his lawyer Saori Shirosaki. Todd Haberkorn will portray Jin Kuwana, the illusive “handyman” of Yokohama. Matt Y. King voices Kazuki Soma, the leader of the RK group in Kamurocho. Steve Blum plays Toru Higashi, a big member of the Matsugane Family, who players might recognize from the first game. And finally, Joe Zieja is Issei Hoshino, another returning character from the first game. Mark Whitten also returns as Fumiya Sugiura, the Robin Hood-esque thief from the previous title.
There are also a few new faces that are still somewhat of a mystery. Erika Lindbeck’s Yoko Sawa and Brett Mukai’s Daimu Akutsu are two of those new and mysterious characters.
Apple Original Films is currently in the process of developing a new feature film titled Raymond and Ray, with Golden Globe winner Ewan McGregor, and Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke attached for the leading roles. It is a production by Apple Studios, which hails from Rodrigo García, and Alfonso Cuarón.
Raymond and Ray is written and directed by Rodrigo García (Albert Nobbs). It will center around the story of the titular half-brothers, “who have lived in the shadow of a terrible father. Somehow, they still each have a sense of humor, and his funeral is a chance for them to reinvent themselves. There’s anger, there’s pain, there’s folly, there might be love, and there’s definitely grave-digging,” reads the description (via Deadline).
The film is produced by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón, Bone Curtis, and Julie Lynn for Mockingbird Pictures. It will be executive produced by Gabriela Rodriguez and Shea Kammer.
McGregor is still in production for Disney+’s upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series, where he is set to reprise his role as the Jedi Master. He will also next be seen in Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio movie.
Hawke is also currently filming for a Disney+ series from Marvel Studios titled Moon Knight, which will be led by Oscar Isaac. He will next star in Blumhouse’s The Black Phone, Robert Eggers’ Viking revenge pic The Northman, and Netflix’s Knives Out 2.
According to an update from the company, the following games will be getting what they call “an important update” that gives them support for modern controllers:
Konami Collector’s Series: Castlevania & Contra
Metal Gear
Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance
Silent Hill 4: The Room
Going forward, these titles will all have full controller support for modern controllers, including Sony DualSense, Sony DualShock 4, Microsoft Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch Pro. GOG also noted that optimized default key bindings along with a few other small fixes regarding controller compatibility would be included in the update.
For those looking to dive into the games now, it’s never been a better time, especially with nearly all modern controllers being included in the update. Meanwhile, fans will continue to wait and hope for more Konami classics to make their way to PC, including other entries in the iconic Metal Gear Solid franchise.
Speaking to AdoroCinema (via IGN Brasil), Reedus touched on the future of the Death Stranding series, reportedly saying that a second game may currently be in negotiations. “I think we’re doing a second Death Stranding,” Reedus said. “[Death Stranding 2] is in negotiations right now. So… yay!
Of course, it’s important to take this information with a grain of salt, as not only is it just one statement from Reedus, but any potential negotiations could stretch for a lengthy amount of time. Regardless, the news comes at a big time for Hideo Kojima and Death Stranding, as Death Stranding: Director’s Cut is set to release later next month, complete with some upgrades.
A recent extended trailer for Death Stranding: Director’s Cut gave a detailed look at a few of the new items, chief among them being a new jetpack that has thrusters that allow players to glide or slow themselves down after leaping off a cliff. The Buddy Bot — a robot that allows you to carry more cargo or will even carry you — was shown in greater detail, as well as a new weapon training area that includes virtual combat encounters with enemies. When the game launches, there will be two modes: a Performance Mode that runs at 60 frames per second with upscaled 4K and Fidelity Mode that runs at native 4K. Ultrawide and HDR support will also be in this version.
The Digital Deluxe Edition will be full price — $60 — but the standard edition upgrade is still $10. New UI changes and online support are coming as well, including leaderboards and “Friend Play,” the latter of which wasn’t detailed. It could be related to the new racing mode as players will be able to compete against the ghosts of others.
The Dead Space remake was only announced in July and is slated to come out sometime next year on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. But even though it’s so far away, fans will get a sneak peek at the game during an upcoming livestream. EA Motive announced that it would be showing an early development build on August 31 at 10 a.m. PT on its Twitch channel.
Two people from the development team will be hosting the stream: Senior Producer Philippe Ducharme and Creative Director Roman Campos-Oriola, both of whom are mostly known for their extensive work at Ubisoft in the years prior. However, one portion of the team will be made up of the Dead Space Community Council. This is a dedicated group of fans that are acting as consultants for the remake and a few of them will also be on the stream, too. Ducharme talked to IGN about this collection of fans that the team meets with every few weeks, stating it helped the team stay out of its bubble and get valuable feedback before it’s too late.
Since the game is still likely a fair way off, viewers should not expect a deep or extensive dive into the title. Motive describes it as an “early look” with an “early development build to illustrate the vision of the remake.” It appears like it will show gameplay of some kind, but will be early and something used to set the tone for whatever the full game will be. Motive also didn’t say how long the stream will be.
Amazon Studios has announced that Dave Franco (The Rental, The Afterparty, Day Shift) will direct the upcoming Amazon Original film Somebody I Used to Know from a script he wrote alongside Alison Brie (Glow, Promising Young Woman). Brie will also star in the Temple Hill Entertainment and Black Bear Pictures-produced romantic comedy alongside Jay Ellis (Insecure) and Kiersey Clemons (The Flash).
“Somebody I Used to Know follows workaholic Ally (Brie) who, on a trip to her hometown, spends a night reminiscing with her ex-boyfriend Sean (Ellis), which makes her start to question everything about the choices she’s made and the person she’s become. And things only get more confusing when she meets Cassidy (Clemons), a younger woman who reminds her of the person she used to be,” reads the official synopsis.
The film reunites Franco and Brie with Black Bear following their horror collaboration, The Rental, which marked Franco’s directorial debut and starred Brie.
“Alison and I love romantic comedies and were inspired by the classics from the 80’s and 90’s,” said Franco. “We couldn’t be more excited about working with Jay and Kiersey, who are both extremely natural performers, capable of bringing levity and drama in equal measure. And we’re so grateful to have partnered with Amazon Studios, who have been incredibly supportive in helping bring this project to life.”
“Audiences around the world are going to fall in love with Somebody I Used to Know just as much as we did,” said Julie Rapaport, Co-Head of Movies at Amazon Studios. “Dave and Alison have reimagined a beloved genre in a delightfully modern way. We could not be more thrilled to watch this incredible cast bring the film to life, shepherded by Dave’s vision, and to partner with Temple Hill and Black Bear to bring it to screen.”
Producers include Temple Hill’s Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, and Isaac Klausner, and Black Bear’s Ben Stillman, Leigh Kittay, and Michael Heimler. Executive producers include Franco, Brie, Temple Hill’s Laura Quicksilver, Black Bear’s Teddy Schwarzman, and Bart Lipton. The film will debut exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide next year.
It has been over three months since Peacock granted a series order to Julie Plec’s Vampire Academy, and now the streamer has finally unveiled the main cast for the upcoming teen supernatural drama. After appearing as Mileena in Warner Bros. Pictures’ Mortal Kombat reboot, Sisi Stringer has been tapped to lead the project for the role of Rose Hathaway, the vampire-human hybrid who’s training to become a guardian at St. Vladimir’s Academy. Joining her is Daniela Nieves (Sex Appeal), who has also been enlisted for the leading role of vampire royalty, Lissa Dragomir.
In addition, Kieron Moore (Sex Education), Andre Dae Kim (Degrassi), J. August Richards (Generation), Anita-Joy Uwajeh (West End’s Cyrano de Bergerac and King Lear), Mia McKenna Bruce (The Dumping Ground), Rhian Blundell (Torchwood: Believe), Jonetta Kaiser (Tales) and Andrew Liner (Grown-ish) have also been cast in the series.
Based on Richelle Mead’s bestselling YA supernatural romance novel series, Vampire Academy is created, written, and executive produced by Julie Plec, who will also serve as showrunner and director. Plec is no stranger to the genre as she is the mastermind behind The CW’s The Vampire Diaries series along with its two spinoffs The Originals and Legacies.
“In a world of privilege and glamour, two young women’s friendship transcends their strikingly different classes as they prepare to complete their education and enter royal vampire society,” reads the official synopsis. “This serialized and sexy drama combines the elegance of aristocratic romance and the supernatural thrills of the vampire genre.”
St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school — it’s a hidden place where vampire royals are educated and half-human teens train to protect them from the savage ‘Strigoi’ vampires who would like to see them destroyed.”
Stringer’s Rose – a vampire-human hybrid known as a Dhampir. Fiery and outspoken, Rose is a true fighter in spirit and in practice. She always jumps into action, and more often than not, this results in demerits. She might be the strongest fighter in her class, but her success will depend entirely on her willingness to toe the line when it counts.
Nieves’ Lissa – is a Royal Moroi vampire. Growing up the younger sister to the heir apparent, Princess Vasilisa Dragomir is a carefree, kind-hearted, royal princess coasting through her studies and happily chasing fun. Lissa is uninterested in the political machinations of the Royal Court or the hypocrisy of Moroi royal society. But with a sudden death in her family, Lissa is thrust into a role she’s neither trained for nor is emotionally equipped to handle.
Moore’s Dmitri Belikov – the model of a Dhampir guardian: lethal, disciplined, discreet, and totally committed to his role as bodyguard to the ruling Moroi, the “good,” mortal vampires of his world. He lives by a deep moral code, but beneath his stoic, watchful surface, there’s an expansive spirit that could threaten to expose the underlying tension between his sense of what’s right and his formal duty to the Moroi.
Kim’s Christian Ozera – a Royal Moroi vampire. Intelligent and thoughtful, Christian is the pariah of the school and royal court, due to his parents’ unforgiveable societal sins. Well-read and hungry for knowledge, he searches for faith-based answers and discovers a kindred spirit who is also looking for the truth.
Richards’ Victor Dashkov – is a Moroi noble vampire with a heart of gold who’s highly regarded for his role as advisor and political strategist to Moroi dignitaries. He’s a fierce loyalist who uses his intelligence and influence to protect that which he values most: the well-being of his husband and two adopted daughters, as well as the betterment of his Moroi community.
Uwajeh’s Tatiana Vogel – is a Moroi vampire and political underdog who slowly takes the royal court by storm. Motivated by love and a sense of justice, Tatiana has a unique skill of making herself seem of no consequence until we realize much too late that she was always the one to watch.
McKenna-Bruce’s Mia Karp – a student at St. Vladimir’s Academy. Witty, cutting, and just the right kind of ruthless when necessary, non-Royal Mia has a long-term plan to social climb her way into the ranks of royalty, with all the privilege and freedom that entails. A plan complicated by her instant chemistry with Meredith, a Guardian-in-training, as Mia struggles to reconcile her attraction to Meredith with her lowly status.
Blundell’s Meredith – a smart, strong-willed Dhampir who is a keen observer, which makes her an excellent strategist and a valuable asset. She has little patience for Rose’s volatility or Mia’s elitism, and regularly calls both of them out.
Kaiser’s Sonya Karp – quiet, careful, and decidedly odd, Sonya is not of royal bloodline and sits out on the fringe of Moroi society, preferring to spend her time in the library or her gardens. Not a person who likes a scene, nonetheless she has a quiet but profound power of her own. She is taken by surprise when a Dhampir Guardian named Mikhail shows interest in her, a relationship that will expose both the brightest and darkest parts of her heart.
Liner’s Mason Ashford – Charming, loyal and popular, Mason is Rose’s main competition in the quest to become the number one Guardian-in-training. Though their relationship is casual on her side, he is hopeful she will finally look at him and see him as something more.
The Vampire Academy series will also be co-written and co-executive produced by Plec’s long-time collaborator Marguerite MacIntyre, who is also set as showrunner. It is a production by Universal Television.
Executive producers are Emily Cummins, Don Murphy, Susan Montford, Deepak Nayar, and Jillian DeFrehn, with Bille Woodruff, Luis Prieto, Jesse Warn, Erica Dunton, and Geoff Shotz attached to direct.
Wonder Woman 1984 launched day-and-date in theaters and on HBO Max, making it one of the first films to adopt the format during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to director Patty Jenkins, that decision might have hurt the film.
Speaking during an appearance on a panel at last week’s CinemaCon (via Deadline), Jenkins touched on the day-and-date model that the film followed, and called the decision to release it that way “a heartbreaking experience,” but “the best choice in a bunch of bad choices at the moment.” Jenkins also didn’t mince words on exactly how it affected the box office results for the film.
“It was detrimental to the movie,” said Jenkins. “I knew that could have happened…I don’t think it plays the same on streaming, ever,” she said about the sequel, before exclaiming, “I’m not a fan of day-and-date and I hope to avoid it forever.” Jenkins also said during her panel appearance that she loves making movies for the “big-screen experience,” and that she doesn’t ever see herself making a film for a streaming company like Netflix.
The latest entry in the Wonder Woman franchise introduced two all-new foes: Max Lord and The Cheetah. With director Patty Jenkins back at the helm and Gal Gadot returning in the title role, Wonder Woman 1984 was Warner Bros. Pictures’ follow up to the DC Super Hero’s first outing, 2017’s record-breaking Wonder Woman.
The film also stars Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Kristen Wiig as The Cheetah, Pedro Pascal as Max Lord, Robin Wright as Antiope, and Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta. Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Patty Jenkins, Gal Gadot, and Stephen Jones were attached as producers. Rebecca Steel Roven Oakley, Richard Suckle, Marianne Jenkins, Geoff Johns, Walter Hamada, Chantal Nong Vo, and Wesley Coller are the executive producers. Patty Jenkins directed from a screenplay she wrote with Geoff Johns & David Callaham, story by Jenkins & Johns, based on characters from DC.
When the Xbox Series X launched last year, many joked that it looked a bit like a tiny version of a mini-fridge. Microsoft ran with the meme, actually making a product out of the idea, and is now updating fans about it.
During Xbox and Bethesda’s E3 2021 Showcase, the Xbox Mini Fridge was announced, but not much more information was revealed. Last week on Twitter, though, Xbox’s General Manager of Xbox Games Marketing Aaron Greenberg updated fans on the status of the item.
On track for holiday, will share more soon when we can!
— Aaron “Day One On Game Pass” Greenberg U (@aarongreenberg) August 26, 2021
Greenberg said that the item is on track for a holiday release, with the company set to share more information when they’re able to. As initially seen in the trailer for the item, the Xbox Mini Fridge looks just like the console that sits beside your television, except it’s cooler because it’s a fridge. While the dimensions are still a mystery, the fridge looks to hold a total of 10 or so 12-ounce cans; the bottom and middle shelves holding four cans, while the top shelf holds two cans that can lay on its side. There is also a nice green interior that lights the inside of the fridge.
this is the “first time in Xbox history” an Xbox Mini Fridge is coming out. It is also the “world’s most powerful mini-fridge.” As such, there is no better way to store your Mountain Dew Gamer Fuel. Microsoft showed off a normal-sized version of the fridge in 2020, but users were not able to buy it.
Netflix has released the teaser for Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming crime thriller titled The Guilty, starring Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal as a 911 Dispatcher. The film is set to arrive in select theaters on September 24 and will be available for streaming on Friday, October 1.
The Guilty teaser, which you can check out below along with the key art, features Gyllenhaal’s Joey Baylor as he gets a call from a woman who claims that she has been abducted. Now, he must find a way to locate her before it’s too late.
The Guilty is an English remake of the 2018 Danish film of the same name. Joining Gyllenhaal are Ethan Hawke (First Reformed), Peter Sarsgaard (Shattered Glass), Riley Keough (Zola), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Dolemite Is My Name), Paul Dano (Escape at Dannemora), and Bill Burr (The King of Staten Island).
“The film takes place over the course of a single morning in a 911 dispatch call center,” reads the synopsis. “Call operator Joe Baylor (Gyllenhaal) tries to save a caller in grave danger-but he soon discovers that nothing is as it seems, and facing the truth is the only way out.”
The Guilty is directed by Antoine Fuqua, who reunites with Gyllenhaal following 2015’s Southpaw. It is written by Nic Pizzolatto, with original director Gustav Moller set as an executive producer. It is produced by Gyllenhaal, Riva Marker, Kat Samick, Scott Greenberg, Michel Litvak, Gary Michael Walters, David Litvak, Svetlana Metkina, and David Haring.
Jungle Cruise proved to be a hit for Disney and now more action and hijinx featuring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt is on the way.
As the original just crossed $100 million at the box office domestically, Disney has committed to a sequel according to THR. Both Johnson and Blunt are expected to reprise their roles in Jungle Cruise 2 as Frank Wolff and Dr. Lily Houghton. Judging by their chemistry and a desire to keep working together, this shouldn’t come as a surprise.
The script will be handled by Michael Green, who co-wrote the original film. Director Jaume Collet-Serra is also expected to return to helm Jungle Cruise 2, while Scott Sheldon will serve as executive producer. Producers will be John Davis, John Fox, Beau Flynn, Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia
In ComingSoon’s review, it was noted that Jungle Cruise “makes the most of its star-studded cast and never drags. The chemistry between Blunt and Johnson makes the smallest of interactions enjoyable to take in and helps the larger story beats leave their mark on viewers. With it establishing a winning formula, this could easily be the start of a new franchise for Disney.”
Lionsgate has announced that the studio is reteaming on Millennium Media’s The Expendables saga, once again reuniting the world’s top action stars for an all-new film. Jason Statham (Wrath of Man, F9), Dolph Lundgren (Creed II), Randy Couture (Blowback), and Sylvester Stallone (The Suicide Squad) will all reprise their roles as Lee Christmas, Gunner Jensen, Toll Road, and Barney Ross, respectively.
In addition, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (Power), Megan Fox (Till Death), and Tony Jaa (Monster Hunter) are set to join the franchise in new roles.
The film will begin production this fall and is being directed by Scott Waugh (Act of Valor, Need for Speed) from a screenplay by Spenser Cohen with revisions by Max Adams and John Joseph Connolly.
Jason Constantine, President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions for the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said, “We are thrilled to partner with our friends at Millennium Media for the next installment of the Expendables franchise. It’s so much fun to bring these stars together for a no-holds-barred action film. The new film will raise the stakes and be the biggest, most badass adventure yet.”
“The Expendables are back, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring this star studded, action packed film to the big screen with Lionsgate, who have been with us since the inception of this franchise. To keep it fresh and fun, we’ve added exciting new stars to join the veterans; popcorn entertainment is guaranteed,” added Jeffrey Greenstein, Millennium Media President.
The new Expendables installment is produced by Statham, Kevin King Templeton, and Les Weldon Yariv Lerner, Jeffrey Greenstein, and Jonathan Yunger on behalf of Millennium Media. Executive Producers for Millennium Media are Avi Lerner, Boaz Davidson, and Trevor Short with Christa Campbell and Lati Grobman on behalf of Campbell Grobman Films. Co-Producer is Abby Mills. Eda Kowan and Jonah Leach will oversee the film for Lionsgate.
Lionsgate will release the film in the US, Canada, and the UK.
Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms is set to arrive on digital and physical storefronts on August 31. The film is the direct sequel to 2020’s Scorpion’s Revenge. In it, Raiden and his band of Earthrealm fighters enter the titular tournament to save the realms from Shao Kahn, who showed up in the movie’s first trailer. Veteran voice actor Patrick Seitz reprises his portrayal of Scorpion in the film, a role that he previously had in the video game series as well.
ComingSoon Editor-in-Chief Tyler Treese spoke with Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms star Patrick Seitz about voicing returning to Scorpion, his impact on fighting games, and some of his anime roles.
Scorpion and Sub-Zero is the ultimate Mortal Kombat pairing and rivalry. What are your thoughts on this arc that we see in the film?
It’s super interesting that that Scorpion immediately goes from, “I’ve got to get vengeance” to “OK, I got my vengeance, but now I’m immediately on the other side of that equation and I’ve got Sub-Zero, albeit a different Sub-Zero, but still a Sub-Zero trying to enact their vengeance upon me for my actions in the first film.” And that’s the thing that is easy for me to forget with the downtime in real life between the two movies, but then watching, you’re like, “Oh, right, boom, boom, right at it, like they just had this first tournament and now we’re back in the thick of it with tournament number two” and Scorpion is deciding “What do I do with this thing that is now melded with me? Do I tell the world to go to Hell? Do I do the right thing? And how do I maneuver those waters while dealing with the fact that this new Sub-Zero wants to murder me and with good reason.” It’s a super interesting and flipping the situation on its head.
What has stuck out the most about Scorpion’s journey throughout these two films?
I think it feels like a weird word to use for Scorpion perhaps on the face of it, but in the second film, it is restraint, for lack of a better word, I mean, he’s fighting Sub-Zero a lot. Sub-Zero is giving the fight his all and trying to kill him and rightfully so, but Scorpion is not pulling his punches, but he’s fighting defensively. He’s not trying to kill Sub-Zero. He’s trying to appeal to a sense of reason. He’s trying to get through to him. Now, granted, he’s doing all that in these quick stolen moments of dialogue between them beating the hell out of each other, but he is still doing that when you could make the argument that the easiest thing to do would be like, “Oh, this dude is trying to kill me? Just murder the hell out of him and call it a day.”
Like if he’s not going to listen to reason, just rip him in half, burn him into ashes, and it’s one less problem to deal with. So the fact that Scorpion is engaging in these fights defensively and not at the same murderous pitch as Sub-Zero is such an interesting twist. It’s not apparent when watching it, because they’re just fighting and fighting. It’s super, super cool. They’re really into it. But then you think to yourself and you’re like, “But they’re not fighting at the same level.” Sub-Zero was fighting to kill. Scorpion is fighting to maintain or defend, which is a real interesting flavor coming from him.
What was your first Mortal Kombat game that you played and was Scorpion your main before you even voiced him?
I’m pretty sure the first game was my first one. I’m 43 so I’ve been around for a hot minute. I have thrown more than my fair share of quarters into those standup arcade machines back in the day. And then of course on consoles as well. I am not super good at fighting games. I get through them. I would gut my way through, but especially against actual people in arcades, I was usually getting owned pretty hard. But Scorpion is great. He’s badass. He’s got the chain. He’s got the thing where he appears in kicks from the other side. He’s got the fire. I’m not saying anyone’s attacks are a slouch in that game, but there’s something about Scorpion that just captures the imagination, especially as, whatever age kid I was looking at the super violent game going, “Yeah, that guy is badass.” To say that Scorpion was my main would make it sound like I am better at the game. I’m not good enough to have a main, but if I had a main, it would have been him.
You might not be the best fighting game player, but you’ve had such an impact on so many iconic fighting game series: Scorpion in MK, Cervantes in Soulcalibur, Bob in Tekken, Ragna the Bloodedge in Blazblue, and it goes on and on. How is it that you’ve been able to leave your stamp on so much of the genre?
It’s super cool. It’s such a trip for me too because in real life, I am not throwing down. I don’t think I could tell you the last time I was in a fight. I don’t know if I’ve ever actually been in like a reciprocal fight. I think grade school a couple of times, someone could have popped me one, but that’s because I was the large peaceful kid. I was like a brontosaurus, like, “Hey, look at that big, slow-moving, herbivore target.” So getting to play all these characters and really swing for the fence, as far as the exerts and the motivation in fighting games, is great. Fighting games are like a soap opera. That is fun to engage in as an actor. And it’s fun to play, too.
Again, I’m not great at them, but I always have fun with the final product and getting sometimes to go to conventions and play the games that I’m in as the character against other people. That’s super fun because it’s either like, “Hey, I played Mortal Kombat with the voice of Scorpion and totally kicked his ass” or “I played Mortal Kombat with the voice of Scorpion and he totally kicked my ass,” which admittedly is rarer, but still kind of novel and fun in its own way. It’s a hoot all around. I’m so grateful.
You were blindsided by Scorpion getting a recast in Mortal Kombat 11. You came back on board for these two films. Was there ever any hesitancy? Or did you view this as an opportunity for some potential closure for this role rather than ending it on maybe a sour note?
No hesitancy. I didn’t look at it as closure. I think, if anything, these films really accentuate the point that you never know when the thing going to be done. You don’t anyway because you don’t know from time to time when they’re going to want you, or when they’re going to want someone else. But it was such a joy to get contacted for the movies. I look at all of this as a bonus. I look at all of this as gravy, which is honestly how you should look at every gig anyway, because nothing is guaranteed. It’s been so much fun getting to spend more time in Scorpion’s shoes. I’m always grateful. I will not ever not pick up that phone. I will always answer the Scorpion phone, so to speak.
My Hero Academia is starting this awesome villain arc. So I wanted to ask you about Endeavor as we’ve seen him go through a lot of changes in the anime. He’s a hero that’s made so many mistakes, but he’s genuinely trying to change for the better. What is your perspective on just where he’s currently at? It seems like a pivotal phase for him.
He’s trying. He’s legitimately trying. For some of the members of his family, that’s going to be enough. For some of the members of his family, that’s not going to be enough. It’s the same thing with the fandom. Some folks are going to be like, “Give him a shot to redeem himself.” Other people are going to be like, “He’s a bastard and I’m done with him.” And I get that. Like that is a legitimate response both in the world and in our world to the character and to his actions. It’s a fun thing to portray.
I’m a sucker, personally, for redemption arcs. But there is no rule saying that everyone else has to be on board. That’s part of what makes him so fun because that’s how life is. Sometimes you forgive people. Sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you can’t. Sometimes you can’t not. I love Endeavor. He’s a dude who’s really good at his job and really bad at life and interpersonal relationships. I think that that chasm between number one hero and definitely not number one dad is part of what makes him interesting, at least for me to portray.
We see a lot of shades of gray with Scorpion, as well. What’s your favorite Scorpion Fatality?
Oh, man. I’m old school. I like the hood coming off. I like the skull. I like the flame. It’s showy. It’s classic. It’s not too filled with viscera, which is good cause I get a little squeamish, but it is still murderous and still brutal. So for my money, the hood off flaming skull head and burning him to a crisp is the old standby.
What are your thoughts on playing Jiren in Dragon Ball Super? Jiren just has so much depth and is such a fun character. How was getting to a part of Dragon Ball?
That was so cool because I know so many of the people in that cast in that franchise, but getting the call to finally go and play with them and was super fun, but there’s also that pressure of like, “Oh man, a lot of the folks doing this are the old guard. Can I hang with Dragon Ball-level yelling and screaming? As you know, it gets there. But thankfully, I was able to hang.
Sony Pictures has finally dropped the first Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City photos for Johannes Roberts’ upcoming horror reboot of the popular video game series. The film is currently slated to hit theaters on November 24, which pits it against Ridley Scott’s crime biopic House of Gucci, and Disney’s new animated film Encanto.
The photos, which you can check out below, provide us with our first look at new iterations of fan-favorite video game characters including Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, and Chris Redfield, which are being respectively portrayed by Avan Jogia, Kaya Scodelario, and Robbie Amell. In addition, Tom Hopper’s Albert Wesker, and Hannah John-Kamen’s Jill Valentine can also be seen in the newly-released photos along with a creepy mutated creature.
Returning to the terrifying roots of the massively popular Resident Evil franchise, fan, and filmmaker Johannes Roberts brings the games of the billion-dollar franchise and the most successful video game adaptation in history to life for a whole new generation of fans. The upcoming movie will be an official origin story to Capcom’s long-running survival horror video game franchise, which will be unrelated to Paul W.S. Anderson’s Milla Jovovich-led franchise.
“In Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, once the booming home of pharmaceutical giant Umbrella Corporation, Raccoon City is now a dying Midwestern town,” reads the official synopsis. “The company’s exodus left the city a wasteland, with great evil brewing below the surface, and when that evil is unleashed, the townspeople are forever changed and a small group of survivors must work together to uncover the truth behind Umbrella and make it through the night.”
The film stars Kaya Scodelario as Claire Redfield, Hannah John-Kamen as Jill Valentine, Robbie Amell as Chris Redfield, Tom Hopper as Albert Wesker, Avan Jogia as Leon S. Kennedy, Neal McDonough as William Birkin, and Lily Gao as Ada Wong, Joining them are Chad Rook as Richard Aiken, Donal Logue as Chief Brian Irons, and Marina Mazepa as Lisa Trevor, marking the live-action debuts for the characters. Among the main characters from the video games, only Leon S. Kennedy wasn’t featured in Sony’s first Resident Evil films.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is directed by Johannes Roberts (47 Meters Down) from a screenplay he co-wrote with Greg Russo. Producers are Constantin Films’ Robert Kulzer, James Harris from Tea Shop Productions, and Hartley Gorenstein, with Constantin’s CEO Martin Moskowicz and Davis Film’s Victor Hadida set as executive producers.
ComingSoon is excited to debut an exclusive The Boss Baby: Family Business behind-the-scenes clip, which details how Tim supports his daughter Tabitha throughout the film. The family film arrives on digital tomorrow, August 31, and will hit 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD on September 14. The clip features commentary from James Marsden, director Tom McGrath, and co-editor Mary Blee.
“The Templeton brothers—Tim (James Marsden, X-Men franchise) and his Boss Baby little bro Ted (Alec Baldwin)—have become adults and drifted away from each other,” says the official synopsis. “Tim is now a married stay-at-home dad. Ted is a hedge fund CEO. But a new boss baby with a cutting-edge approach and a can-do attitude is about to bring them together again … and inspire a new family business.”
Check out The Boss Baby: Family Business clip below:
“Tim and his wife, Carol (Eva Longoria), the breadwinner of the family, live in the suburbs with their super-smart 7-year-old daughter Tabitha (Ariana Greenblatt, Avengers: Infinity War), and adorable new infant Tina (Amy Sedaris, BoJack Horseman). Tabitha, who’s at the top of her class at the prestigious Acorn Center for Advanced Childhood, idolizes her Uncle Ted and wants to become like him, but Tim, still in touch with his overactive youthful imagination, worries that she’s working too hard and is missing out on a normal childhood.”
Building on the success of the first film, which earned more than $500 million worldwide, The Boss Baby: Family Business is directed by returning filmmaker Tom McGrath and is produced by Jeff Hermann (Kung Fu Panda 3).
Netflix has finally announced the release date for the upcoming third season of the hit psychological thriller series You, starring Penn Badgley, and Victoria Pedretti. The series is scheduled to make its long-awaited return on Friday, October 15, more than a year since the second season debuted in 2019.
The date announcement also comes with the release of the first You Season 3 teaser which you can check out below, teasing the arrival of Joe and Love’s baby boy as Joe promises to change by becoming the man his baby can be proud of.
Whoever said raising a child would be a piece of cake? YOU S3 is coming October 15. pic.twitter.com/sFzdSjxEGS
Based on Caroline Kepnes’s novel series, You centers around Joe Goldberg, a toxic and delusional stalker who has the tendency of becoming extremely obsessed with every girl he falls in love with. Season 3 will continue to follow the complicated relationship of Joe and Love, who are expecting their first child together in their new suburban home.
The series currently stars Penn Badgley, Victoria Pedretti, Shalita Grant, Travis Van Winkle, Saffron Burrows, Tati Gabrielle, and Dylan Arnold. The new season will also feature a new set of recurring stars including Scott Speedman, Michaela McManus, Shanno Chan-Kent, Ben Mehl, Christopher O’Shea, Christopher Sean, Bryan Safi, Mackenzie Astin, Ayelet Zurer, Jack Fisher, Mauricio Lara, and Scott Michael Foster.
You was developed by Sera Gamble & Greg Berlanti, with Gamble set as the showrunner. It first launched as a Lifetime series which eventually became a Netflix original starting with its second season due its popularity.
The series is produced by Berlanti Productions, Man Sewing Dinosaur, and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television. Berlanti, Gamble, Sarah Schechter, Leslie Morgenstein, Gina Girolamo, and Marcos Siega are executive producers.
With only less than a week left, Marvel Studios has debuted another behind-the-scenes featurette for the highly-anticipated first Asian superhero-led MCU movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, starring Simu Liu as the titular Master of Kung-Fu. The film is set to make its debut in theaters this Friday, September 3.
The video, which you can check out in the player below, features interviews by director Destin Daniel Cretton and writer Dave Callaham along with the cast as they talked about how important it is for them to tell a superhero movie that highlights Asian characters and culture. It also features lots of new footage, teasing more of Shang-Chi’s background.
In Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the titular hero must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization. Marvel Studios’ first Asian superhero-led movie sees the introduction of Canadian actor Simu Liu (Kim’s Convenience) as the Master of Kung-Fu, Shang-Chi.
The film also stars Awkwafina, Tony Leung, Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Ronny Chieng, Florian Munteanu, Yuen Wah and Dallas Liu. Joining them are MCU alums Ben Kingsley (Iron Man 3), Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) and Michelle Yeoh in her second role within the MCU following her appearance as a different character in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton from a screenplay he co-wrote with Dave Callaham, and Andrew Lanham. It hails from producers Kevin Feige and Jonathan Schwartz, with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, and Charles Newirth serving as executive producers.
After several years of trying to save the world in six Marvel Cinematic Universe films, it looks like long-time collaborators Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson have found their next project together in the form of Apple Studios and Skydance’s Ghosted. According to Deadline, Evans and Johansson have already entered advanced negotiations for the leading roles in the upcoming romantic action-adventure movie, with Rocketman director Dexter Fletcher attached to helm the high-profile project.
Before starring as Avengers, Evans and Johansson first starred in two comedy movies which are: 2004’s teen-heist pic The Perfect Score, which saw the blockbuster duo as high school students trying to steal the answers to their SAT exams; and 2007’s dramedy The Nanny Diaries.
Ghosted is written by Deadpool and Zombieland writing duo Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, who’ve successfully pitched the project to Skydance. Further details about its plot are still being kept under wraps, but it’s being likened to 1984’s classic romantic action-adventure Romancing the Stone.
The project will be produced by Evans, Reese, and Wernick along with Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger. This marks Evans’ latest collaboration with Apple after starring in last year’s Defending Jacob series, while the upcoming movie will be Johansson’s first with the streamer.
Evans most recently wrapped up production on Netflix’s upcoming action film The Gray Man which hails from directing duo The Russo Brothers. He will also next be seen in Adam McKay’s sci-fi comedy Don’t Look Up, and Disney’s animated pic Lightyear.
Johansson most recently starred in what is most likely her last MCU movie as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow. She is currently in a legal dispute with Disney after the Oscar-nominated actress has decided to sue the “House of Mouse” over the Disney+ distribution of Black Widow. She is currently filming in Spain for Wes Anderson’s newest film.
ComingSoon is excited to debut the exclusive trailer for Mattel’s newly imagined Thomas series Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go, arriving in the U.S. on September 13 on Cartoonito, WarnerMedia Kids & Family’s new preschool block (Monday-Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. ET/PT) on Cartoon Network. After the launch week, new episodes will roll out on Mondays.
“Climb aboard the new television series that reimagines the classic Thomas & Friends franchise,” reads the official synopsis. “Produced by Mattel Television, in partnership with Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana Studio, Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go features an entirely new storytelling approach, vibrant, 2D animation, and a collection of fun new characters that will inspire today’s audiences.”
Check out the trailer for Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go below:
“Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go follows Thomas, more playful and relatable than ever before, as the hero of his own adventure,” the synopsis continues. “Thomas will be center stage and we will see the world through his young eyes. Join Thomas as he strives to be the Number One Tank Engine through trial and error, all while just enjoying being a kid. And of course, Thomas will always have his friends by his side for every adventure. Each episode includes a life lesson important for preschool-age children, such as facing fears, being a good friend, and learning that you don’t always have to solve problems alone.
“Highlights of Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go include a greater range of character expressiveness, more physical comedy and music, and core characters that are now kids themselves and voiced by kid actors. The upbeat and colorful show is crafted to appeal to contemporary audiences’ sensibilities while maintaining Thomas’ core message about the value of friendship.”
Four additional engines will make up the core cast of characters, including Percy, Nia, Diesel, and Kana.
“Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go features stories that are both timeless and timely, with themes that will resonate with children, parents and caregivers alike,” said Fred Soulie, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mattel Television.
The series is executive produced by Fred Soulie (He-Man and the Masters of the Universe) and Christopher Keenan (Thomas & Friends) for Mattel, Pam Westman, Colin Bohm, and Doug Murphy (Corn & Peg) for Nelvana.
Hey there, fellow couch potatoes, to another edition of DEG’s Watched at Home Top 20. This week, nothing much changed at the top – proving we are very much in the dog days of August – with Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, Wrath of Man, and A Quiet Place Part II occupying the Top 3 spots.
In a surprise move, Harry Potter transported himself into the Top 10 yet again, landing at No. 9 on the chart just behind Peter Rabbit 2 and just ahead of Yellowstone: Season 1.
There weren’t any newcomers, aside from Queen Bees, starring Ellen Burstyn and James Caan, which landed at No. 19.
Until next week, where, hopefully, we can see a stronger shakeup.
1. Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard (Lionsgate)
2. Wrath of Man (MGM)
3. A Quiet Place Part II (Paramount)
4. Luca (Disney)
5. Mortal Kombat (Warner Bros.)
6. Nobody (Universal)
7. Pig (Neon)
8. Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (Sony)
9. Harry Potter: The Complete 8-Film Coll. (Warner Bros.)
10. Yellowstone: S1 (Paramount)
11. Godzilla vs. Kong (Warner Bros.)
12. Rick and Morty: S5 (Warner Bros.)
13. Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two (Warner Bros.)
14. Spiral: From the Book of Saw (IFC Films)
15. Don’t Breathe (2016, Sony)
16. Those Who Wish Me Dead (Warner Bros.)
17. The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2 (Lionsgate)
18. Yellowstone: S3 (Paramount)
19. Queen Bees (Gravitas)
20. Werewolves Within (IFC Films)
Candyman slashed his way to the top of the box office where the iconic villain slashed a cool $22 million from 3,569 theaters, proving yet again that audiences simply can’t get enough horror in their appetite. Per Deadline, in terms of August releases, Nia DaCosta’s thriller (from producer Jordan Peele) ranks fourth behind 2009’s Final Destination ($27.4 million), 2016’s Don’t Breathe ($26.4 million), and 2007’s Halloween ($26.3 million). Not too shabby!
Audiences awarded the film starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, and (briefly) Tony Todd a “B”, well above the 1992 original’s C+ score, and placing it right alongside recent genre entries such as The Forever Purge (B-) and Don’t Breathe (B); and on par with Peele’s previous production, Us (B), though below Get Out (A-). It’ll be interesting to see if Candyman has legs in the weeks ahead.
Elsewhere, Free Guy held firm at No. 2 with $13.55 million (-27%) in Week 3, while Jungle Cruise officially crossed the $100 million threshold after grossing another $5 million in its fifth week of release.
Overall, moviegoing was pretty slow, although next week promises a little more excitement with the release of Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings, which is expected to bring in at least $45 million over the extended Labor Day holiday.
Legendary actor and activist Ed Asner has passed away. Asner, 91, passed away Sunday morning and is said to have been surrounded by family.
We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully. Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head- Goodnight dad. We love you.
Asner is best known for portraying the character of Lou Grant in The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The character was so popular that it received a spin-off series called Lou Grant. His portrayal of Grant earned him five Emmy wins, and he received two other Emmy wins during his career (for the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man and Roots) making him the most awarded male performer in the history of the awards show. More recently, Asner voiced Carl Fredricksen in Pixar’s Up, played Santa Claus in Elf, and appeared in Cobra Kai.
Asner served two terms as the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1981 to 1985. He also supported the 1980 SAG strike and has been a political activist. Asner supported single-payer health care and was a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. He also worked on and narrated the documentary Behind the Fear, which addresses the denial of HIV/AIDS.
Asner fathered four children, including the actress Kathryn Asner (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), and was married twice to Nancy Sykes (1959-1988) and Cindy Gilmore (1998-2015).
ComingSoon sends condolences to Asner’s family and friends.
My Hero Academia has entered its “My Villain Academia” arc, which gives a new focus on the baddies of the popular anime series. Not only are key members of the League of Villains spotlighted, such as the leader Tomura Shigaraki, Himiko Toga, and Dabi, but a new villain is introduced in the form of Re-Destro, who leads the Meta Liberation Army.
“The League of Villains is dead broke and getting nowhere fast,” says the official synopsis. “All For One’s enormous bodyguard Gigantomachia arrives to pulverize them into shape. But before they’re back on their feet, the sinister Meta Liberation Army, led by Re-Destro, comes out of the woodwork to destroy the League and anyone who tries to regulate Quirks. This multi-episode arc is dedicated to the bad guys, old and new, of My Hero Academia and will be an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride, including Himiko Toga in a bloody showdown and new insights into Tomura Shigaraki’s tortured past.”
ComingSoon Editor-in-Chief Tyler Treese caught up with My Hero Academia voice actors Eric Vale & Sonny Strait to talk about their characters, the recording process, and more.
Tyler Treese: Eric, you’ve gotten to show so much variety in your performances over your career. So I was curious how fun is it just to be the show’s primary villain and just really let loose?
Eric Vale: It’s everything I had been hoping for and working toward for a long time. So pretty amazing.
Sonny, you left the role of Present Mic after the first season due to vocal strain. I was curious how difficult it was to make that decision to leave and how exciting it is that you are returning to My Hero Academia?
Sonny Strait: How hard was it? Was it hard to leave the hottest new show? Yeah, it was pretty darn hard. It was weird too because I’ve never had that problem before. Like I’ve played characters who do crazy things with their voice, right? And it doesn’t hurt me at all, but something about that voice screaming really just tore my vocal chords in a way I’ve never done before, but to be able to come back and come back as a completely different kind of character who is so nuanced is a thrill.
Yeah. It’s even a bigger role. So, maybe it worked out best long term.
Strait: That was the plan actually from the beginning. I was like, yeah, that’s a nice role, but I’m going to hold up for some bigger. Let me just quit here. That was not the plan. [Laughs]
Eric, we’re continuing to see just how dark Tomura is with how he was able to manipulate overhaul. And he really got the last laugh there. There’s a real ruthlessness to him, but he’s also very smart and conniving. Can you speak to what you find so interesting about him?
Vale: I find Shigaraki interesting because, like a lot of villains, he struggles with knowing what is good and continuing to choose the opposite. So that’s been fun. It’s also been fun to play a different type of character than I’m used to playing. But really above everything, the fan response is wonderful. Just wonderful.
Yeah. The community of My Hero Academia, it’s just incredible to see the fan response. Sonny, you talk about the nuance in Re-Destro. What elements of him really stood out and interested you as a character?
Strait: Well, he’s barely been seen in my version, so there’s not a lot I can talk about. Although I have read ahead in the manga and I really love the conflictedness of his nature. It’s two sides really don’t belong in the same person and yet they exist there and there’s a lot to sink your teeth into performance wise. So I’m looking forward to going into it deeper.
Eric, one thing I really love about the series is that it does give genuine depth to its characters. This includes all the villains as well. As you were saying, Shigaraki has this interesting background with him being related to All Might’s mentor and it’s interesting how we see them going in completely different ways on the good versus evil spectrum. It raises questions of nature and nurture, the element of All Might. Was he really the symbol that they needed? So there’s a lot of complexity there. How does that extra depth and backstory really add to your performance?
Vale: Well, it’s fun. I don’t know. I mean, it’s hard because the way that I perform on this show is: I show up to the booth. I’m given a script that is a cold read for me. I’ve not seen it before. Then I have to trust the director to help get me to the right place with the performance. So I have to kind of see the matrix for lack of a better description where I don’t exactly have all of that information as I’m performing the character through the show. So I have to hope that the information I’m getting from the director and from the script informs my performance. So that the things that you find out later in the show about the character have informed the performance. So it’s kind of backwards way to working. Like if you were in a play, of course, you get the whole book, read everything, learn everything about the character, build your performance, do that. So it’s a little switched, but luckily we’ve got great people who can tell me everything that I need to know to bring as much as I can to the performance.
Sonny, like you said, there’s not a ton of info out on Re-Destro, but we do know that he’s against the regulation of quirks, which is a very interesting topic in the show. It is something that’s been explored before. Deku got in trouble for using his powers when not authorized even for a good deed. So there’s definitely a debate there within that universe.
Strait: My body, my quirk. [laughs]
I would love to get your thoughts on that kind of in-universe debate and how that it kind of colors the character.
Strait: Yeah. Right now I’ve been reading the manga. So I’m trying to figure out if this is something that he really believes or is he’s using it as a really good way to motivate people to do what he wants them to do. But to a certain degree, I think he really does think that. I mean, it’s a good starting off point. Personally, I think yeah, how dare people put limitations on you and your potential. If there really were such things as quirks like that, I think I’d be a little annoyed if people told me what I could do and what I couldn’t do, or how far I could push the power.
Especially when they’re so cool.
Strait: Yeah, exactly.
Eric, Tomura has so many great scenes. What are some scenes that have really stood out or maybe some lines of dialogue that really resonated with you?
Vale: Well, it’s hard because for me, as I was mentioning, the way that performance is done, I don’t get the chance to watch really even the whole scene. I get to play my character’s moments. The way that we record is, I get to play whatever character I’m brought into voice that day. I’m playing those moments only. So I’m having to depend on the director to inform me of everything that’s around that, and life moves so fast. I don’t have a lot of time to go watch. I certainly can’t watch everything that I’ve been in. I’m trying to and I’m getting through My Hero with my daughter, but I’m still very early on right now.
Sonny, you’ve played so many iconic roles over the years and in so many incredibly popular series. Like you said, My Hero is just blowing up. It’s huge, and it’s only growing bigger over time. We’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg here. Can you speak to the mass appeal of this series and how it kind of already ranks up there with some of your other work?
Strait: I think what it has in common with those other works is the depths of the character. You really care about these characters and because you learn so much about them, it’s almost soap opera. You get so invested in them. You want to know what they’re going to do next. In those series you had mentioned before, they also have that in common. These are really rich characters, who aren’t just surface, they’re way more than two-dimensional. So it makes sense that a show like this that has a lot of heart and a lot of depth would keep on going then people would want more of it. It was again, when you mentioned earlier, having to give up that Present Mic role, that was the worst thing. It was like, first of all, I love the character. I was having a blast with this character. Although I would say if you’re going on the depth of character, the character I’m playing now is a bit deeper than Present Mic was, but at the same time, that character is such a blast to play. It wasn’t just the phenomenon that the show was huge, it’s just a fun show to be on, you know?
Eric, we talked about quirks earlier. Shigaraki has the coolest quirk. Decay is such an awesome visual to see, and it just suits the character so well. Can you give your thoughts on that quirk and how that ability just represents him quite well?
Vale: Yeah. To me, and of course, I’m tighter with the character of Shigaraki than with others, obviously, but to me, he looks like his quirk. Does that make sense? Like, he’s almost like a physical manifestation of it. I know that’s kind of common in this world, but there’s something about him that just really speaks to that quirk, and his desire to bring so much destruction just goes hand in hand with his quirk.
U (@aarongreenberg) 